What you need to know about the Sinopharm vaccine
What is the Sinopharm vaccine
The SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine (VeroCell) is an inactivated vaccine against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) which stimulates the body’s immune system without risk of causing disease. Once inactivated viruses get presented to the body’s immune system, they stimulate the production of antibodies and make the body ready to respond to an infection with live SARS-CoV-2. This vaccine is adjuvanted (with aluminum hydroxide), to boost the response of the immune system.
Who can take the Sinopharm vaccine
Anyone who is18 years of age and above is eligible for the vaccine. Vaccination of children or adolescents below the age of 18 years is not routinely recommended, although the studies are underway.
What is the recommended dosage
According to WHO, the recommendation is two-dose with an interval of 21-28 days between first and second dose.
What are some of the Sinopharm vaccine's characteristics
Presentation:
Fully liquid, inactivated, adjuvanted, preservative-free suspension in vials and AD pre-filled syringes
Number of doses:
Single-dose (one dose 0.5 mL)
Vaccine syringe type and needle size:
Pre-filled AD syringes
Vials, for which the following is needed:
Auto-disable (AD) syringes: 0.5 mL
Needles for intramuscular injection 23G × 1” (0.60 × 25 mm)
Disclaimer
Only those who were told not to take the mRNA vaccines administered under the national vaccination programme - Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty and Moderna - because they have severe allergies or were allergic to the first dose can get the Sinovac vaccine for free. All others who choose to be vaccinated with Sinovac for non-medical reasons or prefer Sinopharm will have to pay.
Vaccines under the Special Access Route are also not covered under the Vaccine Injury Financial Assistance Programme, which supports people who suffer adverse effects from their Covid-19 jabs. The route allows private healthcare providers to bring in Covid-19 vaccines that are on the World Health Organisation's (WHO) Emergency Use Listing.
Opening Hours
Sunday
8:30am–12pm
Monday - Thu
8am–12pm, 1:30–3:30pm, 6:45–9pm
Friday
8am–12pm, 1:30–3:30pm
Saturday
8:30am–12pm